Safeguarding and Welfare Requirement: State here which EYFS Safeguarding and Welfare Requirement this document relates to.

I

3.4 Whistle Blowing

Policy statement

Old Felixstowe Nursery expects the highest standards of conduct from its employees and will treat seriously any concern that any employee may have about illegal or improper conduct by another member of staff. Employees will be expected through the guidelines laid out in the ' Old Felixstowe Nursery Employee Handbook' and with out any fear of recrimination to bring to the attention of the Manager any serious impropriety or breach of procedure.

The policy is not designed to replace or to be used as an alternative to the grievance procedure, which should be used where an employee is only aggrieved about their own situation.

Employees who are worried about wrong doing at work do not necessarily have a personal grievance.

Employees must act in good faith and must have reasonable grounds for believing the information to be accurate.

No employees who use this procedure will be penalised for doing so. Old Felixstowe Nursery will not tolerate harassment or victimisation of any employee raising concerns.

Procedures

  • The procedure is designed to enable employees to notify the Manager or committee Chairperson of any reasonable suspicion of illegal or improper conduct. It is required that all employees act responsibly to uphold the reputation of Old Felixstowe Nursery and to help maintain public confidence.
  • It is expected that the Manager or Chairperson will act swiftly and constructively in the investigation of any concerns in accordance with the Nursery's disciplinary procedure. ( See Employee Handbook )
  • Concern about a colleagues professional capability should be dealt with in this way, either in their ability to carry out the job or if there are suggestions of bullying or other forms of intimidation.
  • Malpractice covers a wide range of concerns. The types of activity that should be disclosed include but are not limited to the following.

Fraud or Corruption

Unauthorised use of nursery property

Physical, Emotional or Sexual abuse of employees or children

Failure to comply with legal obligations

Endangering of an individuals health or safety

Damage to the environment

A criminal offence

Showing undue favour to an employee

Bullying or harassment of another employee

Spreading offensive or malicious rumours

Patronising or humiliating remarks

Deliberately undermining a competent employee

Where the issue concerns the manager or having made your report you believe they have failed to take appropriate action, then the matter should be brought to the attention of the Nursery Chairperson or contact

Ofsted on 0300 123 3155 on their dedicated whistleblower hotline. Depending on the nature of this concern, the complainant may be asked to do this in writing. It would be helpful to write down any facts and dates as they happen.

Employees who want to use this procedure but feel uneasy in doing so may wish to contact a Third Party ( eg Solicitor, Trade Union Representative or Friend ) The third party will be independent of the issue.

Where anonymity is requested, efforts will be made to meet the request where appropriate but that might not always be possible. The earlier the expression of concern, the easier it will be to take action.

Each case will be investigated thoroughly with the aim of informing the complainant of the outcome of any investigation as quickly as possible.

Legal framework

  • Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998

This policy was adopted at a meeting of / Old Felixstowe Nursery / (name of provider)
Held on / (date)
Date to be reviewed / (date)
Signed on behalf of the provider
Name of signatory / Lydia Cox
Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) / Nursery Chairperson